Otoacoustic Emission Treatment in India

Aditya Iyer, a 58-year-old software architect,...

Aditya Iyer, a 58-year-old software architect, had noticed a gradual decline in his ability to hear high-pitched sounds, like his granddaughter's voice and the beep of his microwave. It was affecting his work during video conferences. His primary care doctor referred him to an ENT specialist. The ENT, Dr. Mehta, recommended an Otoacoustic Emission (OAE) test as a quick, non-invasive first step to check the health of his inner ear hair cells. Aditya was nervous, fearing a hearing aid was inevitable. During the test, he sat quietly in a sound booth while a small probe was placed in his ear, emitting soft clicking sounds. It was completely painless and took only minutes. The results showed weak emissions, indicating possible early sensorineural hearing loss, not just earwax or a middle ear issue. While initially disheartened by the confirmation, Aditya felt relieved to have a clear answer. The emotional journey shifted from anxiety and denial to proactive acceptance. He is now scheduled for a full audiogram and is researching hearing aid options, feeling empowered to address the problem head-on.